Kaminsky named Big Ten preseason Player of the Year

Wisconsin senior forward Frank Kaminsky was named Big Ten preseason Player of the Year on Thursday and the Badgers were picked to win the Big Ten title, ahead of Michigan State and Ohio State.

The selections were made by a panel of media members who cover the Big Ten.

Kaminisky is the third Wisconsin player to be named Big Ten Player of the Year, joining Alando Tucker (2006-’07) and Devin Harris (2004-’04). Both Tucker and Harris went on to be named the league’s Player of the Year after the conclusion of the regular season.

Kaminsky and junior forward Sam Dekker were first-team picks. This is the first time UW has had two players named to the preseason all-conference team.

The Big Ten Conference releases only the top three teams expected to challenge for the title. It’s the first time Wisconsin was tabbed preseason number-1 under Bo Ryan.